Friday, January 28, 2011

I just received word from Interweave Press today that Wire Art Jewelry Workshop is available for pre-order! They sent me an email with lots of beautiful pictures from the book and a great description.WAJWorkshop is the book I sold to Interweave Press when I realized that publishing a how-to jewelry making book in black and white (Wire Art Jewelry) was a big mistake. Others have self-published similar books in b&w, so I never anticipated that it would pose a problem. However, I do listen to my readers and appreciate the comments posted and emailed by my customers, so I got the message loud and clear when they told me how disappointed they were in the b&w version of Wire Art Jewelry.The projects in this book are some of my favorites, and, although I am biased, I have to say that I think they're gorgeous. I certainly would want to learn how to make them if I had not designed them myself! So, I sold the book—including text and photos that I took myself—to Interweave Press. They used my text and step-by-step photos, and took new "beauty shots" of the finished pieces. They redesigned the entire book so that it is beautifully laid out, inspirational, and easy to read. Last summer I went out to Loveland, Colorado to tape an hour-long DVD to accompany the WAJWorkshop book, and soon the book-with-DVD package will be available to everyone.The best news (to me) is that although this book is stuffed with projects and technique, the editors were able to work with the designers to include every single project! Not one thing is missing from the original book, and I'm thrilled with that.WAJWorkshop's release date is in April, but you can pre-order it now by clicking here.I hope you like it.Happy wrapping,Sharilyn

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

I'm finally able to upload some photos from the class I taught last Thursday at Monica's Quilt & Bead Creations in Palm Desert! It's been super-busy here since then, because I'm working on some new jewelry projects that I hope to include in a new book to be published sometime in the future...Anyway, my finished pin is pictured above, after I got it home and antiqued it in LOS.

Here are a couple of happy students, snowbirds from Canada...

And here are two more happy students! We had a very enjoyable day at Monica's, and surrounded by the beautiful quilts in the classroom we could not help but be inspired.

As you can see, lots of color and student bling-bling was on display...

I love this finished pin as well, especially the use of flower-shaped beads and green leaves, which I would not have thought of using myself. Lovely!I also showed the students how to alter the basic stick-pin design and turn it into a necklace. Nobody finished that in class; it's a bit complex and we didn't have time for two complete projects. But later on I'll photograph my sample necklace and show it here on the blog.In other news, I now have FOUR students signed up for my Cortona Wire-Art Adventure in Italy! The tour organizer is offering $100 discount to everyone who signs up with a deposit by January 31, so if you're on the fence, I encourage you to enroll right away. We have lots of fun excursions planned as well as some beautiful jewelry to make that will forever remind us of our adventures in Italy. For information, click here.Happy wrapping,Sharilyn

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

I'm very excited to announce that I have just created an informative new blog for my upcoming trip to Cortona, Italy this Aug/Sept. Here is the link: http://italyjewelryworkshop.blogspot.comYou'll find all the information about the workshops and fun excursions we'll be participating in, and I also have included sidebars with links to helpful travel sites (these will help you snag the best airfare), plus sites relating to the Tuscany region of Italy, which we'll be exploring while we shop the fun flea markets.After the retreat, I'll spend a few more days in Cortona so that I can take the train to Arezzo for its famous flea market and festival on Sunday, the Joust of the Saracen. This is an amazing opportunity, you don't want to miss it! If you're interested in joining me for the workshop retreat and a trip extension, just let me know. You can email me by clicking here.I haven't blogged here recently because I have been sooooo busy! Last week I was in San Diego taking a terrific workshop with portrait artist and watercolor instructor Myrna Wachnov. She has a terrific blog, be sure to check it out: http://myrnawacknov.blogspot.comYou can see a photo of Myrna below, getting ready to deliver one of her morning lectures and demonstrations. Her paintings are pictured behind her; these are all distorted images of a Frenchman she photographed a few years ago. Myrna taught us a really fun and creative technique for distorting facial features on a grid, and then how to use various painting methods including lots of great texturing techniques. I enjoyed the workshop but was too exhausted at the end of each day to do any blogging!

I also celebrated my 50th birthday last week and it felt great, actually. I have so many friends who are fabulous in their 50s, the decade holds no fear for me. Turning 40 was much worse! I'm actually quite happy and pleased to be 50. This week I'm devoted to setting new goals for the next 10 years, and I'm writing everything down now, which is something I haven't done that much of before. I believe it's important to write things down, as it helps to clarify what you really intend to do and helps set realistic, specific goals with details on how to achieve them.Tomorrow I'm teaching a great class over at Monica's Quilt & Bead Creations:

We'll be making Copper Swirl Pins (although you may choose to use sterling or fine silver or even gold-filled wire if you prefer) plus a new necklace design based on the pin... no photo yet, because the sample is in the store, but if you'd like to join us, please do!To register for the class, call Monica's: 760-772-2400.Happy wrapping,Sharilyn

Saturday, January 1, 2011

Just want to wish all of my friends and readers a very happy new year for 2011.The past year was tough, but we've made it through! And I continue to believe that maintaining a positive attitude, no matter the circumstances, is the only way to ensure that positive changes will happen in the future. We still have much to be grateful for and a wonderful new future to look forward to.Blessings on everyone!Happy wrapping,Sharilyn